Description:
Intracellular communication mediated by gap junctions plays an important role in a variety of cellular processes including: homeostasis, morphogenesis, cell differentiation, and growth control. Gap junctions are transmembrane channels that serve to directly link neighboring cells by mediating the exchange of low-molecular weight metabolites, ions, and second messengers. Gap junctions are formed by the interaction of connexons or hemichannels on adjacent cells. The connexon itself is composed of a hexameric assembly of proteins referred to as connexins. Connexins are highly homologous proteins encoded by a multigene family. The connexins exhibit similar structural features, which include a cytoplasmic amino terminal region, four transmembrane domains, two extracellular loops, and a carboxy-terminal cytoplasmic tail of varying length. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of the various connexin family members indicate that the two areas of greatest divergence amongst the connexin family members are the intracellular loop connecting the second and third transmembrane segments and the carboxy-terminal tail (1, 3, 6) . These domains are, therefore, thought to mediate connexin-type speci c properties including: phosphorylation, responses to gating stimuli, as well as assembly and membrane turnover. Modulation of gap junctional communication can be achieved by multiple mechanisms and can occur very rapidly or over a period of several hours. These mechanisms include alterations in transcription, translation, stability, postranslational processing (especially phosphorylation), gating, and insertion or removal from the plasma membrane. Interestingly, reduction or alterations in the levels or types of connexin expressed in a given cell type has been found to correlate with tumor progression and metastasis (5).

Applications: Suitable for use in Immunofluorescence, ELISA, Western Blot and Immunohistochemistry. Other applications not tested.

Storage and Stability:May be stored at 4°C for short-term only. For long-term storage and to avoid repeated freezing and thawing, add sterile glycerol (40-50%), aliquot and store at -20°C. Aliquots are stable for at least 12 months at -20°C. For maximum recovery of product, centrifuge the original vial after thawing and prior to removing the cap. Further dilutions can be made in assay buffer.

Type

Isotype

Clone

Grade

Mab

IgG1,k

3G103

Affinity Purified

Size

Storage

Shipping

Source

Host

100ug

4°C (-20°C Glycerol)

Blue Ice

Rat

Mouse

Concentration:

~0.5mg/ml

Immunogen:

Synthetic peptide corresponding to a segment of the cytoplasmic loop of rat Connexin-32.

Purity:

Puri ed from mouse ascites by immunoaffinity chromatography.

Form

Supplied as a liquid in PBS, pH 7.4, 0.05% sodium azide.

Specificity:

Recognizes rat Connexin-32. Species Crossreactivity: Human and mouse.

Intended for research use only. Not for use in human, therapeutic, or diagnostic applications.